The ultimate guide to Batemans Bay accommodation

Carla Grossetti Carla Grossetti
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No matter what travelling style you have, there’s an accommodation for you in Batemans Bay.

In Batemans Bay, you’ll find accommodation to suit any traveller. Here’s a breakdown of the best places to stay in Batemans Bay, a delightful town on the NSW South Coast. We’ve broken it down into categories that include cosy suites designed for romance, group houses for families, luxury options for holidaymakers, pet-friendly options and digs for group getaways.

Luxury accommodation in Batemans Bay

Jackson Ranch

Bannisters have a new property and it’s hidden amid 14 hectares of natural forest near Bawley Point, just a half-hour drive from Batemans Bay.

a luxe glamping accommodation at Jackson Ranch, Batemans Bay
Opt for luxe forest glamping at Jackson Ranch.

Jackson Ranch sleeps up to 30 guests in five newly renovated and beautifully styled cabins that stretch from bush to beach.

a man floating on the pool at Jackson Ranch, Batemans Bay
Float on the pool at Jackson Ranch.

Stay in a hideaway cabin with an outdoor bathtub, a lakeview cabin with views of Lake Willinga or the four-bedroom homestead where your four-legged friend can curl up around the fireplace.

the living room of a homestead at Jackson Ranch, Batemans Bay
Stay in a rustic but cosy homestead at Jackson Ranch.

Best for: Jackson Ranch is aimed at those who like to enjoy an unparalleled level of luxury
Address: 101 Willinga Road, Bawley Point

The Oaks Ranch

The Oaks Ranch is all about enjoying the landscape while ensconced in boutique comfort. The boutique resort lures keen golfers and those who want to simply enjoy the amenity of overlooking the course itself.

a bedroom with a sliding door and balcony at The Oaks Ranch, Batemans Bay
Wake up to scenic views of the bushland at The Oaks Ranch. (Image: @abbie_melle)

The estate, only minutes from Mossy Point, is on a 120-hectare master-planned resort surrounded by beautiful bushland and bucolic pastures that is arrayed around a Greg Norman-designed golf course.

an outdoor pool with sun loungers at The Oaks Ranch, Batemans Bay
Sunbathe in the outdoor pool at The Oaks Ranch. (Image: @abbie_melle)

The villas blend in with the colour palette of the countryside. After a round of golf, head to Arlo, one of the best places to eat near Batemans Bay.

the property exterior of The Oaks Ranch, Batemans Bay
The Oaks Ranch is a private haven in Mossy Point. (Image: @abbie_melle)

Best for: Keen golfers and those who want to flop and drop
Address: 340 Old Mossy Point Rd

Hotels and motels in Batemans Bay

The Isla

The Isla is all about laid-back luxury, giving guests immediate access to world-famous surf breaks, quirky cafes and unspoilt beaches.

the property exterior of The Isla, Batemans Bay accommodation
The Isla could be your next island retreat. (Image: Destination NSW)

Although you will want to spend your days exploring the surrounding attractions, you can also kick back and chill here in comfort, listening to the sound of crashing waves from the comfort of your king-sized bed in your design-led room.

a classy and contemporary exterior of The Isla, Batemans Bay accommodation
Chill out with your loved ones at The Isla. (Image: Destination NSW)

Go for the Grande Suite, which has two bedrooms, two bathrooms and a plunge pool. It also made it onto our list of Australia’s best retro motels.

an outdoor pool at The Isla, Batemans Bay accommodation
Lounge and sip cocktails by the pool. (Image: Destination NSW)

Best for: Road-trippers who appreciate an eco-conscious retrofit
Address: 222 Beach Rd, Batehaven

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Abode Malua Bay

Abode Malua Bay has a range of room types to accommodate large family groups. This hotel, which has 52 simple suites, is a jumping-off point for activities such as sea kayaking and surfing and long beach walks at sunrise past stands of wind-bent trees.

an aerial view of Abode Malua Bay near the beach
The beach is just a few steps away from Abode Malua Bay. (Image: PewPew Studios)

Guests in the apartment-style hotel, which has inter-connecting rooms and pet-friendly rooms, should borrow a bike and ride along the pristine beachfront.

a beachfront accommodation at Abode Malua Bay
Settle in your humble beachfront home at Abode Malua Bay. (Image: PewPew Studios)

Best for: Families or groups who like to be beside the seaside
Address: 4 Kuppa Avenue, Malua Bay

Bay Breeze

The newly renovated Bay Breeze Motel is another boutique option located on the waterfront in Batemans Bay. The motel has had a refresh and its light-filled rooms and views of Batemans Bay and the pristine coastal seascape have huge appeal.

a comfy bed at Bay Breeze, Batemans Bay
Drift off to your comfy bed at Bay Breeze.

But the retro motel with its breezeblocks, archways, terracotta tones and prickly pear plantings also screams romance, smacking of pared-back Palm Springs glam.

a rustic and contemporary living room interior at Bay Breeze, Batemans Bay accommodation
The accommodation comes with rustic and contemporary furniture.

Best for: Those who like the convenience of being able to wine and dine in Batemans Bay
Address: 21 Beach Road, Batemans Bay

Airbnb and holiday homes in Batemans Bay

The Coco Cabana

While this tiny house in beautiful Broulee may be a diminutive dwelling, what it lacks in size it makes up for in attention to detail.

Every square inch of Coco Cabana has been outfitted in style, from the oversized deck to the creature comforts such as the beautiful bed linen, private outdoor shower and big-picture windows overlooking tropical plantings.

coco cabana Batemans Bay
Shack up by the beach at Coco Cabana.

Best for: Surfers who want to take advantage of the tiny home’s proximity to the beach
Address: A stone’s throw away from the beach in North Broulee

Jaguar Stay

Canberrans cottoned onto the joys of a break in Batemans Bay decades ago. And ACT residents lucky enough to have jagged a weekend at Jaguar Stay probably want to keep these five-star architecturally designed and accessible villas to themselves. Oh well.

Located on a 50-hectare working cattle farm, the property has ambulant access and a swimming pool and is next to Mogo Zoo. The six one-bedroom villas all have plunge pools and polished interiors, and an outlook of green grass and gums.

Enjoy a luxurious stay in a private villa on a working cattle farm.

Best for: Romantics who want a luxe retreat near to nature
Address: 312 Tomakin Rd, just minutes from the village of Mogo

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Caravan parks, camping and glamping in Batemans Bay

NRMA Batemans Bay Holiday Resort

You can forget about roughing it during your stay at the NRMA Batemans Bay Holiday Resort, where the luxury comes from the provision of facilities that will keep kids entertained for hours.

The NRMA Batemans Bay Holiday Resort has flipped the concept of campground and rebranded it as a resort with all the bells and whistles. In addition to the two-storey cabins, and pet-friendly deluxe digs, there are studio rooms, powered and unpowered tent and slab sites. It’s one of the best places to camp on the NSW South Coast.

the exterior of cabins with balconies at NRMA Batemans Bay Holiday Resort
Sleep in a cabin with a balcony at NRMA Batemans Bay Holiday Resort. (Image: Eurobodalla Coast Tourism)

Best for: Families and those who want a camping holiday near nature on NSW South Coast
Address: 51 Beach Road, Batemans Bay, overlooking Corrigan’s Beach

NRMA Murramarang Beachfront Holiday Resort

This South Durras resort recently underwent significant upgrades with the entire park receiving a million-dollar makeover.

friends relaxing on the balcony of a cabin overlooking the beach at Murramarang Beachfront Holiday Resort in South Durras
Sip coffee by your front porch at NRMA Murramarang Beachfront Holiday Resort. (Image: Destination NSW)

You can choose to stay in a refreshed guest cabin or villa, pull up in your caravan or sleep under canvas at the new-look NRMA Murramarang Beachfront Holiday Resort, which has added a new bistro, bar and takeaway to make life even easier at basecamp. The facilities also include a kids’ club, e-mountain bikes, a lagoon-style pool and BBQ areas.

friends preparing for a surf surrounded by kangaroos at Murramarang Beachfront Holiday Resort in South Durras
You’ll be surrounded by kangaroos at NRMA Murramarang Beachfront Holiday Resort. (Image: Destination NSW)

Best for: Families who like to camp in comfort on the NSW South Coast
Address: Mill Beach, Banyanda St, South Durras

Houseboats in Batemans Bay

Clyde River Houseboats

Become a boatie during your short break in Batemans Bay and chug along the twists and turns of the Clyde River. Enjoy watching the scenery change onboard Clyde River Houseboats where you will see shifting vignettes, from kangaroos feeding on the shoreline to oyster farmers checking their leases, to kids in dinghies riding the chop of the passing boats. Drop anchor off your Rivergum houseboat (8-10 berth) and cook the day’s catch. A houseboat holiday is one of the best ways to see the NSW South Coast.

Best for: Keen fisher folk, romantics, and those who like to fall asleep on an undulating waterway
Address: 29 Wray Street, North Batemans Bay

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Carla Grossetti
Carla Grossetti has written across print and digital for Australian Traveller and International Traveller for more than a decade and has spent more than two decades finding excuses to eat well and travel far. A prestigious News Corp cadetship launched her career at The Cairns Post, before a stint at The Canberra Times and The Sydney Morning Herald gave way to extended wanders through Canada, the US, Mexico, Central America, Asia and Europe. Carla was chief sub editor at delicious and has contributed to Good Food, Travel & Luxury, Explore Travel, Escape. While living in London, Carla was on staff at Condé Nast Traveller and The Sunday Times Travel desk and was part of the pioneering digital team at The Guardian UK.
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Art, wine & fireplaces: 8 reasons Bowral is the ultimate winter getaway

(Credit: Destination NSW)

    Carla Grossetti Carla Grossetti
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    The Southern Highlands earns its title as Australia’s top country town in the cooler months, and it’s worth every minute of the 90-minute drive from Sydney.

    Many Sydneysiders head to the Southern Highlands in spring for the tulips. It’s one of the most stunning spring carnivals in Australia. But the ones in the know come to Bowral in winter.

    The first thing you notice at this time of year is the quality of the light. It catches the tangled limbs of the gums and tints the fields, farms and forests a pretty shade of Granny Smith green. And then, a world-class art museum, an impressive network of walking trails, great shops, cosy restaurants and bars and luxury accommodation take centre stage, making Bowral a place you want to linger as the mercury drops.

    Just 90 minutes south of Sydney, a Bowral winter getaway is the coolcation city folk desperately need. Here are eight reasons to pack a good coat and head for the Southern Highlands.

    1. Check in

    aerial of Ardour Milton Park Bowral in winter
    Check in to the gorgeous Ardour Milton Park Bowral. (Credit: Destination NSW)

    Ardour Milton Park Bowral rises like a hologram in the hazy green light as you turn onto Horderns Road. A $10 million refurbishment of the grand 1910 estate was completed in early 2026, and the beautifully restored hotel now includes 44 guest rooms washed in sage green, cobalt blue and dusty blush. The dining room at Horderns Restaurant continues with a botanical theme – earthy banquettes, floral touches throughout – and a menu that moves with the seasons.

    After enjoying slow-braised Cowra lamb and a second glass of red, move to the Polo Bar, which has a fireplace and views across the estate gardens. Build a grazing board from the dedicated Charcuterie Room and take it outside while the light lasts. If the sky clouds over, use this as your cue to enjoy a next-level spa experience at Èliva.

    2. Hunt for treasure

    couple exploring Dirty Janes bowral
    Find vintage treasures in Dirty Janes. (Credit: Destination NSW)

    Winter is the perfect season to lose an afternoon inside Dirty Janes Bowral. Over 1600 square metres of covered space houses 90 individual sellers of everything from mid-century furniture to industrial lighting, antique silverware, vintage clothing and objects whose previous lives you can only imagine. Enjoy a bit of off-the-cuff banter with your fellow fossickers in between searching for that must-have military jacket or vintage silk scarf.

    Around the corner, find the Instagram-famous front door of FoundAntiques, though the real finds are deeper inside. Bring cash, wear comfortable shoes and leave some room in the boot.

    3. Slow down in a beautiful gallery

    kids posing with donald bradman statue in bowral's The Bradman Museum
    Learn about an Aussie legend at The Bradman Museum. (Credit: Destination NSW)

    Ngununggula – meaning ’belonging’ in the language of the Gundungurra First Nations people – is the region’s first dedicated regional gallery, housed inside the sustainably transformed old dairy building at historic Retford Park. The onsite White Cottage Gallery and restored grounds of the former Fairfax estate reward a slow wander. Find a spot to sit in the courtyard filled with rivulets of winter light and enjoy the plaintive call of a currawong carrying across the heritage-listed grounds. It’s one of the best things to do in Bowral.

    Add Bowral Honey Farm for a hands-on harvest experience, then continue into town to the Milk Factory Gallery to admire eclectic works by local artists in a converted industrial space. The Bradman Museum also knocks it out of the park. Australia’s largest dedicated cricket museum sits beside the heritage-listed Bradman Oval, where a young Sir Donald Bradman first picked up a bat.

    4. A taste of France

    table spread at Lucette bowral
    Enjoy a taste of France at Lucette.

    For a taste of France without the airfare, husband-and-wife team Julien and Romy Besnard – of long-loved Franquette Crêperie – have opened Lucette, a French cafe-bistro with Paris-born chef Guillaume Dubois at the helm. Dubois brings serious pedigree from Michelin-starred kitchens in France and Sydney’s former two-hatted Monopole, and it shows. Start your day with pastries for breakfast and bookend it with boeuf bourguignon for dinner. The chocolate mousse, freckled with Guerande Salt, is the kind of dish that will make you feel smug about the decision to drive south. Join the Sydneysiders dressed in charcoal coats, boots and black tights who’ve already worked this out; the whole scene is worthy of splicing it into an Instagram reel.

    Francophiles should also be across Julien’s Bowral Brasserie – led by Frenchman Julien Viel, who also found his way to the Southern Highlands and stayed.

    5. Indulge in a tipple

    Centennial Vineyards bowral in winter
    Spend time amongst the local vines. (Credit: Destination NSW)

    The drive to Centennial Vineyards passes through a beautiful woodland idyll, the countryside a fuzz of green all around. Inside the Barrel Room, a tasting flight of cool-climate pinot noir, chardonnay and reserve shiraz viognier flaunts how well the Southern Highlands does winter.

    This is a region that takes its cool-climate wines seriously, and the pinot noir is one of the stars – a gentle, easy-drinking style with red cherry aromas. Follow your tutored cellar door tasting with another glass of wine in the Terrace Bar, which overlooks the vineyard and manicured grounds.

    6. Blend your own gin

    Millsheds Distillery & Bar
    Pop into Millsheds Distillery & Bar. (Credit: Mattia Panunzio)

    Millsheds Distillery & Bar is somewhat of a local secret. The award-winning small-batch operation produces gin, vodka and liqueurs using Australian botanicals and has picked up silver medals at both the London Spirits Competition and International Wine & Spirit Competition. Beyond the tasting paddle, the hands-on blending masterclass – where you design and leave with two bottles of your own custom gin – is the experience to book, while the terrace bar that wraps around the courtyard is a fine place to settle in afterwards.

    7. Go for a walk at dawn

    Switch your phone off sleep mode and set your alarm to early. Mt Gibraltar rises to 864 metres just east of Bowral’s main street and offers the best views in town. You will pass a raggle-taggle bunch of hikers on the way up to the summit, all making the same quiet pilgrimage into the crisp high-altitude air. On a clear morning, the bony ridges of the ranges come into sharp relief against the light. The return loop takes roughly 90 minutes. A flat white in Bowral tastes considerably better after completing one of the scenic walking trails.

    8. Cosy up by the fireplace

    Aspinalls Whisky Bar & Lounge at the Berida Hotel
    Get cosy in the Berida Hotel’s whiskey bar.

    A cosy bar is the perfect complement to winter in Bowral, and there are a few worth committing to. Aspinalls Whisky Bar & Lounge at the Berida Hotel is built for long, languorous evenings. Take a seat beside the fireplace laden with gnarled logs and work your way through a few whiskies and bar bites like Rangers Valley beef tartare, or salt cod and potato croquettes.

    At Hickory’s within Peppers Craigieburn, well-dressed waiters in denim and leather move quietly between tables, and the cosy fireplace in the adjoining guest lounge attracts an Escape to the Country crowd.

    Start planning your Bowral escape at visitsouthernhighlands.com.au.